Module: Literature Review & Experimental Design

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Literature Review & Experimental Design
Module Code	BIO1019 (ITS: BE489)
Faculty	Biotechnology	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This module will introduce the students of the B.Sc. Genetics & Cell Biology and B.Sc Biotechnology programme to the main research topics that are under investigation for their research projects within the School of Biotechnology. The students will research in depth the existing literature available on a given topic/scientific problem that may be pertinent to their final year research project and write this up in an organised, coherent and structured manner akin to an introduction to a thesis. In addition, the students will research the general background of their assigned research project and present a concise background and rationale for addressing the specific research question, specify the rationale and strategy for addressing the research question, present an experimental design for their project and evaluate some alternative strategies and contingencies that they could undertake to address the research question.

Learning Outcomes

1. Gain experience in examining critically the pertinent literature relevant to a given topic using, in particular, published scientific articles as sources
2. Learn to discriminate between articles that are more relevant/less relevant
3. Learn to critically evaluate in an original way the contributions of various discoveries to the understanding of the topic
4. Compose a written document to present critical contributions in a structured way
5. Integrate references to the source material appropriately
6. Explain the background as it relates to the student's research project
7. Gain experience in designing experimental strategies to address a scientific question
8. Gain experience in assessing alternative experimental strategies and contingencies to proposed stragegies

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Directed learning	188	Interrogate the Literature using all available resources Library and web based literature search, supervisor directed preparation of literature review, thesis presentation, submission of a written report
Total Workload: 188

Section Breakdown
CRN	10161	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paula Meleady	Module Teacher	Anne Parle-Mcdermott, Brian Freeland, Christine Loscher, David Collins, Denise Harold, Keith Rochfort, Konstantinos Gkrintzalis, Linda Holland, Michael Freeley, Naomi Walsh, Paul Cahill, Philip Cummins

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Literature Search, Review, Writing
As directed by supervisor

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None